29th Biennial Clergy-Laity Resolution on Political and Racial Justice in the World

WHEREAS, our Holy Church teaches that all men and women are created equal regardless of race, ethnicity or social rank and that all men and women share one common human nature and are thereby endowed with certain basic human rights.

WHEREAS, these human rights consist of those conditions of life that allow persons to fully develop their potential and to use their human qualities of intelligence and conscience to satisfy their spiritual, social and political needs. These include the freedom of expression, freedom from fear, from harassment, from terrorism and from discrimination.

WHEREAS, the policies and actions of certain governments of the world, whether through hypocritically subtle means or overt manifestations of systematic repression, have violated these basic human fights and,

WHEREAS, it is a shame and stigma for 20th century civilization that there are notions which resort to practices of the dark ages by holding hostages, engaging in or supporting terrorism and by imposing indescribable suffering upon minorities or majorities living within their borders. Such nations force persons to abandon their ancestral homes, declare free citizens persona non grata, prevent the free emigration of citizens seeking to leave, and ostracize some as political exiles.

WHEREAS, it is our moral and social responsibility and the obligation of the free and democratic nations of this world to not only condemn and disavow such violations wherever they occur, but to take such affirmative steps as will obtain the realization of these inherent rights and a true respect there­ of.

BE IT RESOLVED, that we call upon totalitarian and oppressive regimes to respect the rights and dignity of the individual and all persons and to ensure the free and unhindered exercise of basic human rights by all persons, regardless of racial or ethnic origin, or political or religious affiliation, and

We call upon all free and democratic governments of the world, and in particular the United States of America, to exercise their moral and political responsibilities for the preservation of human rights by the adoption and pursuit of clear and consistent policies, both domestic and foreign, reflective of these fundamental human rights.

The Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations is tasked with cultivating professional relationships with faith-based organizations, academic institutions, and NGOs. It coordinates the ecumenical and interfaith dialogues of the Archdiocese on a national level, and it is responsible for coordinating pan-Orthodox activites through the Office of the Chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA.